Groove's 2nd m15x skullcap!

just called a freind of mine he said the kensington works fine. he said pull the rubber boot off the end and trim it down a small amount then put it back on. this way the mechanism turns fine. its only because the plastic is to thick and the rubber takes up some of the room.. he has the m15x and uses the lock i posted..

 

Did you hear that, Milcs?

 

This makes sense. The only reason the locks wouldn't work would be because the lock mechanism isn't able to penetrate deeply enough into the slot to engage properly. That has to be because the plastic casing on the m15x is just a tad too thick. I think the slot itself is just that - an eliptical slot in the metal chassis that the lock needs to extend past, and then turn or expand to "grab" or engage. If there's something between the metal slot and the lock itself (like thick case plastic), the lock won't be able to fit properly into the slot.

That's a horrible oversight on AW's part, and something that they absolutely need to remedy. I agree w/Milcs - of all the "little things" that have been overlooked and poorly engineered, this one is awefully important. People who make this kind of financial investment need to be able to secure it.

That said - finding a lock with a rubber bumper between the barrel and the laptop chassis (to prevent scratching) seems to be the ticket here. If that rubber gasket could be removed or trimmed, it might gain enough for the lock to engage properly in the slot. What say, milcs - worth a try?

 

yup the kensington rubber boots come right off i just checked and they can be trimmed a bit shorter and then they should fit right in there

 

That's great news. We'll just do AW's work for them then.

 

Yeah, agreed. Not exactly good news. Having to self-mod the $40 lock because the $4000 laptop was poorly designed is pretty pathetic. Still, maybe some people will find a way to make it work.

 

Much better than nothing!

 

you just summed it up there...

 

firstly congrats Groove, and thanks for the great pictures. the skullcap does look awesome.
bit rushed so cant write too much today.
kensington lock. i was the first person that brought this to the attention of AW. i had a proffesional kensington lock i use on my £4000 screens at work. it did not work (as we all know to well by now). the coments i got back from AW was literaly shrugged shoulders, and we will pass this info on to the technical department. so why has it taken almost 3 months to get any real info about this and especially not from AW but a member (zfactor) on here. the main reason i brought this to the attention of AW was the factor that your insurance would be void if it was stolen as you did not take extra precaution to lock it.
everyone get out your stanley knives and start cutting away at the plastic cover on the lock.

outcome:
forum member zfactor= +1
Alienware Technical department = -1

enjoy your new beast groove

 

You should be covered if the security lock socket is defective though. It's not your fault if there's no way you could secure the notebook.

 

Wowow...I was not a fan of the skullcap design, and i had no idea why anybody would prefer it over the ripley...until I saw your pics. That looks very cool!

 

this is where you get caught out by insurance companys. their excuse will be you didnt take the precaution of sending it in for repair (even though we know it couldnt be repaired and was a general fault).

 

guys its really not much to do. the piece just needs minor trimming with a razor or xacto knife.. takes a few seconds to do

 

and yeah that skullcap makes me rethink getting one for the better just because of the way i think it looks.. i really like it

 

Well, while I did always see how people could like skullcap, as that is AW's traditional design, I also wanted ripley. I still do, but this machine looks great. If I weren't gonna use my laptop in public so much, then I may have gone with skullcap.

 

I think it looks a bit... too much! It's all a matter of taste. I would NEVER change my Ripley for the Skullcap. I think it's not beautiful at all...
But what matters is everyone's personal taste.
Regarding the lock, I'm really sorry but are we really speaking wisely here?
I bought a laptop with (like every laptop in ther world) a security lock and... they forgot to actually make sure it worked. Now I am supposed to cut some plastic or whatever to make it work?
Can we really see the problem here? A security lock that does not work properly? A complete and total failure on AW's side regarding such a simple thing? It's probably one of the most elementary things on a laptop nowadays... and they managed to screw that one up.

Oh well... I am certainly not cutting any rubber or whatever to fit anything there. If it doesn't fit like it is supposed to fit (and fit EVERY laptop in the world appart from the M15x), then for me, it doesn't fit at all. I am really, really dissapointed.

"Why did you send your laptop back?" "Oh... my security lock didn't work!". I mean... it's surreal, really!

 

lol ok man.. if all it needs is a tiny bit of rubber cut imo i dont see the big deal.. its not cutting anything on the laptop.. but to each his own i guess.. still is does fit just remove the rubber boot.. not a big deal

the compal jfl92 btw is the same way as the m15x with the lock slot.. so its NOT just aliemware.. it needed to be trimmed to fit that as well and the other locks (spreading type) did not fit that either.. so again to me no big deal you cant even see the cut made in the rubber

again nothing on the laptop is getting cut.. its a small piece of rubber on a 40$ lock which can be found for like 25$ on amazon..or just remove it. it comes of in literally one second..

 

Hi,
I agree with Zfactor. A little modification never hurt anything. Also, it's not like it's going to hurt the locks ability to be used on other laptops. My biggest concern in a gaming laptop is that it performs. All the other little problems can get worked out. Also, I'm sure that Alienware is well aware of the lock situation by now. Their solution will most likely be a custom lock for the m15x. I don't see them changing the whole chasis because of a simple thing like a lock not fitting.

Gabe

 

Here's my experience:
I've tried two locks. A kensington lock (with some orange colours on the "head") and a old Targus lock. Both have the same locking mechanism, both didn't work.
I was just looking at the Targus lock and the plastic is so small that is really impossible to make it thinner. I even thought of the possibility the "teeth" were not going deep enough (that sounds... weird! ) when I was trying the locks and I made pressure in before I tried to turn the key... it didn't work.
So I'm convinced that this is not an "universal" solution. More, if you take some time to look at Groove's photos, you will notice there is no rubber on the lock. And that lock is the exact same lock that, accordingly to AW, is the only one that works for the M15x, and has no possibility of trimming any plastics down, and it DOES NOT WORK.

So yes, I don't believe this is a solution for everyone. I will try it again, of course, when I receive my laptop but I can't really see it working for everyone. I'll probably buy that lock you suggest Zfactor, but I think it won't be much different from the orange lock. We will see... Let's be hopeful.

@Gabez- Whatever reasons lead people to buy their M15x, is their own reasons. I bought this laptop to be my personal computer and allow me to use it at work and have fun with it at home. No lock, no way this computer serves my needs as I can't possibly use it at work. I don't really understand where's the logic besides what people keep saying: "gaming laptop... only high gaming performance matter... every other problem don't worry much about it". If I was a "professional" gamer, I would have bought a desktop to have at home all times. The concept of this laptop is to be versatile (that's why Binnary GFX, Stealth modes, Smartbay technology, etc... is implemented on the M15x) and to allow people to use it for a vast array of purposes.

 

Zfactor... I've probably missed this somewhere, but could you please tell me the exact model of Kensington lock that your friend trimmed to work in the M15x?

 

Model number: 64343

 

Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

 

is that you in your avatar??

 

100% me... but photoshopped into Black and White with some high contrasting. I love CS3.

 

wow dammmmnnnnnn.. nice... especially to have a woman into this type of thing.. a rare find..

 

*blush* Livre and Miho are also of the female persuasion on these boards. I'd feel a bit of a fifth wheel if I were the only girl around on here!
And I admit... I'm a bit of a Chloe Sullivan at heart (the computer geek a la reporter character in Smallville in case you don't watch it).

 

@Milcs - Hopefully they're resolve the issue soon, either by rescasting the the bottom plastics or providing a custom lock. I meant no offense by my previous statement. Since I'm not reliant on a lock at my work place, it's a rather small issue for me. Also, I'm a modder at heart. If something doesn't work the way I want it to, I make it work lol.

@Cat - Can't wait for the next season to release on DVD. I'm a big smallville fan.

Gabe

 

I know it's been said already but, congratulations. That machine of yours loks amazing, i definately want the m17x with it...

The lock issue does read that it's more like the manufacturers making a "default" size lock that doesn't necessarily fit all notebooks. Maybe they need to start making them with specific noteboks in mind...

I must admit i would not, not buy one because of that although in Milcs case, if he needs to lock it, it would be a problem, save chaining it to the desk lol

I wonder if the m17x has the same size lock hole...

Cat - Your a stealth geek really... Looks pretty and girly but, is into technology... Kinda cool (",)

OB

 

"Stealth Geek"? I like it!

 

dont forget pretty hot as well .. judging by the pic.. man a hot "stealth geek" lol... those are def hard to find .. at least i dont think ive seen one in a long time, okay now wait you play bass also?? simply ... wow....

 

The last episode for season 7 was disappointing Apparently they are going to be bringing Doomsday for Season 8 which means Clark will die!!!

 

Oh if nobody mentioned it, take the spacebar off, and use a sharpie pen from under it. That way you don't messup the top of the space bar, yet you can block the light from under it.

 

Clever idea starstreak, thanks.

 

Groove, did you have a chance to call CS regarding the lock?
Cheers

 

Not yet, but I just did a video showing the wobble and creaking noises in the skullcap and mentally comparing the chassis to the ripley. I also compared it to the m1710 and am presently uploading to filefront. I'll update with link when I'm done. I'll probably talk to AW in the next day or two and will update.

 

You're a star. Cheers for that.

 

Ok guys, I made a short video doing a small bit of comparing between the skullcap and ripley. I really didn't cover anything other than wobbling, creaking, keyboard and lock but I did do a wobble comparison with my XPS m1710 which you might find interesting. Anyway, lots of rambling but you might find something informative. Enjoy. ( I realize the other big issue people are curious about is thermal related to the cpu downclocking, etc.. but I haven't tested that yet. No GPU downclocking so far with extended gaming sessions and monitoring with rivatuner. I'll stress the cpu in the next few days but I'm waiting for it to cool down a bit where I'm at as I don't have AC and don't want that to skew the results too much. Also worth noting, most of the keyboard lag issues have been resolved in this notebook. I have noticed it once or twice when the cpu is being heavily utilized but nothing like it was back with my Ripley. Take that for what it's worth.)

Sorry for the filesize but my camera can't make anything smaller.

Here's the
Video

If you have a problem with filefront, here's the same video uploaded to filefactory but it will probably be a slower download.

 

Can't get the video to download - Always had a problem with Filefront

 

Cool video Groove. After seeing different people's video about the creaking I think I've figured out whats going on with that. Here's what I think if you look at all the older systems they don't make a noise like that (if they do its not that bad). I've seen the hinges that hold the screen and they hold the screen in place with a 2 nuts i noticed if you tightened them you would have less screen wobble but then you start to get some noise. I'm thinking AW is starting to tighten the nuts harder which in turn is making that noise. Bad news is I'm not sure how much the chassis can handle I guess only time will tell.

 

I'll upload to filefactory also and provide a second link.

 

Yea, good theory. The only thing is that I've put my ear all over the lcd as I moved it back and forth and the noise doesn't seem to come directly from the hinges. You can feel the source of the vibration within the black plastic as it produces friction against whatever surface it's coming in contact with. I can feel subtle variations in shifting as I open and close within the black plastic so I don't know if that's the issue with the noise or not. Just my guess. One thing is for sure, I don't know that I would want the hinge too much tighter because it probably wouldn't open without picking up the bottom of the laptop. I've had that happen once or twice upon opening.

Would you happen to have pics of the 2 nuts within the hinge? That would be interesting to see how they have it designed.

 

@ taco - So is the creaking going away after a weeks use (someone said that) possible and if it is, is it good ? Sort of

@ groove - Thanks man

 

You bet! I just updated the link so test it out.

 

Got it ! Well I've got the download to start at least
I'm currently streaming a movie to my mom and sis in the living room so my bandwidth is split down the middle
Will get back to you in approx 1 hr 17 min.. Hehe

 

Cool video, seems likt eht "creaking noise" may be the bearings bedding in then... I hope it goes away, perhaps a light coat of oil would help?

OB

 

Hey groove how are the touch control keys, they a bit more responsive now? Not sure if you posted it yet but what are you idle/load temps

 

Great video, Groove! Love your accent!

And I've never seen the M15x look so sexy. Nice commentary. I was so gripped I wanted popcorn!

 

Touch control keys are very responsive. I think what people don't realize is that the keys are heat sensitive. Different people have relatively different levels of blood flow in their fingertips and different levels of heat. If you have Raynaud's phenomenon for instance where your fingertips turn white in cold, you're going to have a devil of a time activating the buttons. If you have good capillary refill in the fingertips and they are red or pink, then chances are you won't have any problems. I'm the later, so it's very responsive to me but if you hold an icecube, dry your fingertips off and then attempt it, the buttons suddenly seem "unresponsive". I think that's the big factor that people aren't taking into consideration.

It's 82F in my apt at the moment because I have the windows open and it's a warm day, but with that ambient temp, my temps are:

CPU: 33C idle
GPU: 75C idle

I don't have any load temps for you yet. I haven't seen the GPU go over 86C when I jump out of gaming and check rivatuner but I also haven't had really long gaming sessions on the notebook yet nor have I tested very many games. I'll stress test it more thoroughly over the next week or so and test battery life, etc..

 

Haha, tx Cat. Glad this country boy could entertain.

 

Just watched your video...
Great one mate. You kept me there... It is a nice looking laptop, indeed. Makes me miss mine a lot. Oh well... patience patience.

I was laughing while you were showing the wobble. You were shacking it pretty strong. It would have been more "useful" to have you rotating the laptop or applying gentle pressure to the body of the laptop. I say this, because when I was typing on mine I could notice the screen wobble (and in fact, if I was using the webcam I could actually notice the image shacking).

Appart from that... great one. Thank you very much for your time and effort!

ps: I will have nightmares with shacking my M15x so hard!!!